Teachers

Nan Aton

Nan began the practice of yoga in 1997 after a debilitating auto accident and was immediately drawn to continue on this path. She completed the 200 hour Yoga Alliance Certified teacher training program at the Southwest Institute of Healing Arts under the guidance of Mary Bruce in 2007. Two years later Nan opened Second Heart Yoga with a strong desire to share her love of yoga and the many layered benefits of the practice with others. Nan now holds a 500 hour YA certification and is deeply grateful for her teacher of many years, Mary Bruce, and Lynn Matthews, creator of the Immersion into the Yoga Tradition and founder of Yoga 4 Life. Nan is always amazed at the extra “space and lightness” that yoga creates in her body and mind making her feel calmer, stronger, even taller every time she leaves the mat. Having spent some years employed as an RN at St. Joe's, Nan combines her professional skills with a sense of gratitude and laughter to create a class that is both challenging and fun for her students. When she’s not on the mat, Nan is learning the wonderful game of bridge, enjoys sailing and spending time with her husband, three children, her dogs, Duke and Sampson, and sweet kitties, Winnie and latest addition, Eeyor!

Paige Rogers

Paige is Master's level social worker who is passionate about her work in the field of psychiatric rehabilitation. She believes that a healthy mind and a healthy body go hand in hand. Paige has been practicing yoga for over eight years. She was amazed at the powerful and positive changes yoga brought to her life and was inspired to share the joy and wonder of yoga with others. She completed her yoga teacher certification through At One Yoga. Paige's classes create a safe and accepting environment for students of any level to explore their capabilities and try new things while challenging the student to reach their personal edge. Mindfulness and acceptance are the cornerstones of Paige's practice and it is with great joy she shares this with others.

Angie Cox

Angie Cox and Camielle

Angie has been practicing yoga since 2001 and started teaching in 2006. She completed her 200 hour certification at the Southwest Institute of Healing Arts under the guidance of Mary Bruce. Angie is a social worker by profession working with foster families who care for children and adults with developmental disabilities. Angie's passion for yoga and desire to work with people were a natural lead in to teaching. Her main goal is to help others see how much yoga can change their lives. Angie found her yoga practice especially helpful during her pregnancy and childbirth. She looks forward to teaching her little one some yoga moves as she grows. Angie has developed a regular meditation practice and studies the teachings of Paramahansa Yogananda.

Mary Bruce

Mary began her journey in 1995 with a semester of yoga at Scottsdale Community College from Julie Crutchfield. She was so inspiring and ageless that Mary was hooked from day one, minute one. Mary received her first teacher training certification and began teaching in 1997. Her enthusiasm and thirst for knowledge continued. She continued her studies with teachers Rod Stryker and John Friend after meeting at a yoga Journal Conference in 1998. She is a registered yoga alliance teacher and Anusara certified by John Friend. Mary recently achieved the Level II Para Yoga Master Teacher certification as established by Rod Stryker. Mary will always see herself as a student first. Her passion for knowledge and understanding is vast. The more she explores and learns, the more she is able to share these ancient wisdoms in a new and radiant light.

Heather Ricciardi

Heather considers herself a student of yoga, first, and is delighted to share in the experience of breath, movement, and connection with each of her fellow seekers.
Heather discovered the Southwest Institute of Healing Arts (SWIHA) and enrolled in the yoga teacher training program in 2006 and began teaching that year under the mentorship of Mary Bruce. Since graduation from SWIHA, Heather has continued to study under Mary Bruce and Rod Stryker in the Para Yoga tradition of Tantra.
Hearther"s dharma (purpose) is yoga therapy with the intention that each student learn to exercise the mind as well as the body in coincidence and to their own greatest benefit.
Heather has recently finished a Master of Liberal Studies (concentration: Gender, Religion, Culture) degree from ASU and plan to enter the PH.d. program at the Global Institute of Sustainability in August 2012. She believes that yoga is a technology for creating sustainability at the most local level.

Second Heart Yoga
4520 E. Thomas Rd.
Phoenix, 85018
602 957-3450